Gershwin in Paris

Concert Description

Exciting Detroit debuts and an American classic! Leonard Slatkin leads Cindy McTee's 'Solstice' featuring DSO principal trombone Kenneth Thompkins, and the world premiere of his own 'Endgames.' The program concludes with Benjamin Lees' Concerto for String Quartet plus a Gershwin favorite . . . An American in Paris!

PRECONCERT EVENT

Join us before your concert in Orchestra Hall on Thursday, November 20 at 6:30 PM and Saturday, November 22 at 7 PM to hear composer Cindy McTee and Michelle Merrill discuss Cindy's piece on the evening's program and Michelle's new appointment as the DSO's assistant conductor.

Artists

Internationally renowned conductor Leonard Slatkin began his tenure as Music Director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2008. In addition, Maestro Slatkin is the Music Director of the Orchestre National de Lyon, a position he has held since 2011. He is highly regarded for his historic leadership of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra from 1979 to 1996 and his tenure as Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra from 1996 to 2008. He has also served as Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and held Principal Guest Conductor positions with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Kenneth Thompkins was appointed Principal Trombone of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra by Neeme Järvi in 1997. Prior to this appointment, he held positions in the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Florida Orchestra and performed with the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. A former participant in the Detroit Symphony’s African American Fellowship Program, he has been a mentor to several Orchestra Fellows over the years.

Jeffery Zook joined the DSO for a one-year substitute position as second flute during the 1988-89 season, and performed piccolo on the Orchestra’s 1989 European Tour under Maestro Günther Herbig. He joined the DSO full-time in 1992. In 1998, he joined Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony on its tour of Japan. Aside from his duties with the DSO, Zook has served on the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Music, Oakland University, Central Michigan University and has taught and performed at the festivals of Tanglewood, Interlochen and Banff.

Sharon Sparrow has been a flutist with the Detroit Symphony for the past 11 years, most recently completing a year as Principal Flutist after winning a highly competitive international audition. An active orchestral, solo and chamber musician in Michigan and the United States, Ms. Sparrow has been noted for her artistry, exquisite tone and musical interpretations. In addition to her positions in Detroit, she has also performed with the Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra, Memphis Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

Violinist Hai Xin Wu joined the Detroit Symphony Orchestra violin section in July 1995 and was appointed Assistant Concertmaster of DSO in June 2004. He previously performed throughout the United States, Europe and his native China.